The sight of Richard Montgomerie coming on to bowl is normally a sign that a Sussex game has died a slow death.

Supporters might have to get used to the prospect of watching his gentle off-breaks a bit more this season as Sussex adjust to life in Division One where points matter a lot more and gambling on a victory is not encouraged.

To be fair to skipper Chris Adams, his side began the final day of the draw against Somerset at Hove on Saturday with everything to lose.

Their lead at the start was only 114 and if the Cidermen had been able to make some inroads in the first hour, when the ball swung about a bit, it could have been interesting.

But only Adams was dismissed in the first session after making his second century of the season and Michael Yardy and Robin Martin-Jenkins batted sensibly in the afternoon to make sure their skipper's good work did not go to waste.

Adams hit 14 fours and a six in his 149-ball 101 before falling to a great catch in the covers by Ian Blackwell. But by then Sussex had a lead of 161 and were more or less insured against defeat.

Yardy batted sensibly for his 73 while Martin-Jenkins produced some thumping leg side shots in his 86, which included 14 boundaries and a swept six, against both seam and spin before becoming Richard Johnson's second victim via a leading edge.

Martin-Jenkins added 93 with Matt Prior, who hit an unbeaten 37, for the sixth wicket and when Adams pulled out at tea Sussex had made more than 300 for the fourth time in two Championship games, another encouraging statistic.

It left Somerset 333 to win from 32 overs and with a Saturday night M1 journey to Birmingham to negotiate, it was hardly a surprise that a halt was called eight overs early after Montgomerie had bowled two successive maidens.

Adams was pleased with the way Sussex bounced back after their ten-wicket defeat by Surrey in the opener, but he makes no apology for adopting safety-first tactics when the situation demands it.

He said: "We couldn't have had a tougher start to the season so the signs after two games are good. When you are in Division Two the onus is on winning to secure promotion. In the first division the important thing is not to lose points. I am not about playing for draws, but you have to pull in your reins sometimes."

Scores: Sussex 337 (Goodwin 162) and 396-7 (Adams 101, Martin-Jenkins 86, Yardy 73); Somerset 401 (Bowler 94, Kirtley 5-90) and 94-2. Match drawn - Sussex 10pts, Somerset 12pts.